Key Points
- Sharon Osbourne plans to revive Ozzfest, honoring Ozzy’s legacy with Live Nation.
- The new Ozzfest may mix genres and feature both legends and emerging artists.
- Sharon also plans a Black Sabbath orchestral tour and Ozzy biographical film.
The music executive is bringing back Ozzfest and has big plans to honor her late husband’s legacy.
Sharon Osbourne is carrying on one of Ozzy Osbourne‘s most cherished dreams: bringing Ozzfest back to life. Six months after the legendary Black Sabbath frontman’s death in July 2025, his widow of 43 years has revealed she’s in talks with Live Nation to relaunch the iconic heavy metal festival that defined a generation.
“It was something Ozzy was very passionate about: giving young talent a stage in front of a lot of people,” Sharon, 73, told Billboard in December. “We really started metal festivals in this country.”
For metal fans who remember Ozzfest’s glory days, this announcement hits different. The festival wasn’t just concerts—it was, as Sharon describes it, “like summer camp for kids.”
Sharon Osbourne Plans to Relaunch Ozzfest With a Twist
From 1996 to 2018, Ozzfest served as the ultimate gathering place for metal heads, featuring legendary lineups that included Slipknot, Metallica, Tool, Pantera, Marilyn Manson, Linkin Park, Megadeth and countless others. Ozzy himself headlined with both his solo band and the reunited Black Sabbath, creating unforgettable moments for fans across the country and parts of Europe.
But Sharon isn’t just recreating the past—she’s reimagining it.
“I’d like to mix up the genres,” she revealed, suggesting the new Ozzfest could feature artists beyond traditional metal. The festival could potentially launch as soon as 2027, bringing together established legends and rising stars in a way that honors Ozzy’s original vision while pushing boundaries.
Why Are Metal Fans Excited About Ozzfest’s Return?
For longtime metal fans, Ozzfest represented more than just music—it was a movement. The festival launched in 1996 after Lollapalooza organizers rejected Ozzy, reportedly calling him a “dinosaur.” Sharon and Ozzy’s response? Create something better.
And they did. Ozzfest became the premier destination for discovering new metal talent while celebrating the genre’s established icons. Bands that went on to massive success got their start on Ozzfest stages, performing in front of thousands of passionate fans.